Faculty & Staff

This page contains contact information for all the faculty & staff of Notre Dame Seminary. From here you can send e-mail to our members, or visit their personal home pages.

President / Rector
    Rev. José I. Lavastida, M.A., S.T.L., S.T.D.
Academic Dean
    Fr. Minh Phan, S.T.L., S.T.D.
Human and Spiritual Formation
    Fr. Jeffery H. Harvey, C.M., D.Min.
   Fr. Mark Toups
Director of Pastoral Formation
    Fr. Joseph M. Krafft, M.Div., D. Min. (Candidate)
Co-Director of Pastoral Field Education
    Sr. Theresa Marie Tran, S.C.C.,B.A., M.A.
Spiritual Director
   Fr. Joseph S. Palermo, B.A., M.Div., J.D.
Director of Pre-Theology Program
    Dr. James Jacobs, M.T.S., Ph.D.
Director of Liturgy
   Fr. Deogratias O. Ekisa, M.Div., S.T.L., S.T.D.
Director of Music
    Mr. Angelo Lupinetti, Ph.B., B.A., M.A.th.
Systematic & Sacramental Theology Professors
     Dr. Christopher T. Baglow, B.A., M.A. Ph.D.
    Dr. David Liberto, Ph.D.
    Fr. Donald Martin, S.J., M.A., S.T.L., Ph.D.
Sacred Scripture Professors
    Dr. Brant Pitre, B.A., M.T.S., Ph.D.
    Dr. Nathan Eubank
Moral Theology Professor
    Fr. David C. Kelly, M.M., Lic., Ph.D.
Church History Professor
    Fr. Mark Raphael, M.A., M.Div., Ph.D.
Biblical Languages Professor
    Mr. Kevin Redmann
Philosophy Professors
    Dr. Mark J. Barker, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
English Language Program
    Ms. Jennifer Golden, M.A.
Counseling Services
    Br. Stephen Synan, F.M.S., B.A., M.A., M.S., Ph.D.
Director of Facilities
    Mr. Chris Domingue
Registrar
    Ms. Cynthia Garrity, B.A.
Director of Institutional Effectiveness
    Dr. Rebecca Maloney, B.S., M.Ed., Ph.D.
Director of Development
    Mrs. Yvette LaCour, B.A., M.Ed.
Director of Library
    Mr. Thomas Bender, B.A., M.L.I.S.
Director of Lay Formation
    Mr. Robert Thomas, B.A., M.Ed.
Business Manager
    Ms. Michelle Klein
Rector's Office
    Mrs. Illora Bordelon
M.A. Program Secretary
    Ms. Mary Langlois
Pastoral Department
    Mrs. Sharon Mason
Receiptionist
    Mrs. Danielle Sharai

Rev. José I. Lavastida, M.A.,S.T.L., S.T.D.

Very Rev. José I. Lavastida, M.A.(Notre Dame Seminary), S.T.L., S.T.D. (Accademia Alfonsiana, Rome, Italy) President Rector and Full Professor of Theology. José I. Lavastida has a doctorate in Moral Theology from the Alfonsian Academy in Rome, an Institute of Moral Theology of the Lateran University. He has a concentration in Bioethics and his doctoral dissertation was published under the title "Health Care and the Common Good." He is also a novelist with his first novel entitled "Better for One Man to Die," based on the life and ministry of St. Anthony Marie Claret in Cuba. Fr. Lavastida is Cuban-born, a U.S. citizen since 1974, and a Chaplain and Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy, serving with distinction in Iraq and receiving the Presidential Unit Citation from the President of the U.S. in 2003. He served as Academic Dean of the Seminary for 9 years and serves as President Rector since July 31, 2007.

President / Rector / Professor of Theology
Office Location: Shaw Hall - 1st Floor
(504) 866-7426 Ext. 3104/3820
Rector@nds.edu

Lavastida Homepage

Fr. Minh Phan, S.T.L., S.T.D.

Rev. Minh Phan: Born 1967; ordained 1997 for the Archdiocese of New Orleans; Pastoral Assignments (1997 - 2006): Parishes of St. Jerome, Our Lady of Divine Providence, St. Rita in Harahan. Theological Studies at the University of St. Thomas (Angelicum) in Rome (2006 - 2010)

He joined the full-time faculty of Notre Dame Seminary in 2010 as a Spiritual Director, Formator, and Professor of Dogmatic Theology. He also serves as Academic Dean of the Seminary since 2011.

Academic Dean
Office Location: Shaw Hall - 1st Floor
(504) 866-7426 Ext. 3107
frphan@nds.edu

Fr. Jeffery H. Harvey, C.M., D.Min.

Fr. Jeffery H. Harvey, C.M. is a native of Los Angeles, CA. and is a member of the Congregation of the Mission (known as the Vincentian Fathers and Brothers). He was ordained in 1993 and served as Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Parish in Montebello, CA and St. Alphonsus Church in Fresno, CA. He has served as pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Patterson, CA and of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Phoenix, AZ. Fr. Harvey has a Doctorate degree in Homiletics with an emphasis in evangelization and parish mission preaching.

Human Formation
Office Location: St. Joseph Hall - 219
(504) 866-7426 Ext. 3819
jharvey@nds.edu

Harvey Homepage

Fr. Mark Toups

Ordained in 2001, Fr. Mark Toups is a priest for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, serving the Diocese as Director of Seminarians. In addition to his work with Houma-Thibodaux seminarians, Fr. Toups works in public relations and communications for the Institute for Priestly Formation. He is in residence at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans as an in-house adjunct spiritual director. Before moving into full-time seminary formation, Fr. Toups served as pastor of St. Lucy’s Catholic Church in Houma and St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Thibodaux. He is a co-founder of ADORE Ministries. He received his Master’s of Divinity from Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. A college graduate of Nicholls State University, he is a native of Houma, LA.

Adjunct Spiritual Director
Office Location: St. Joseph Hall - 313
(504) 866-7426 Ext. 3913
mtoups@nds.edu

Fr. Joseph M. Krafft, M.Div., D.Min. (Candidate)

Prior to entering the seminary, Fr. Joe had a successful but short career in business and completed work on an undergraduate and graduate degree in Business Administration. After completing his M.Div., at Notre Dame Seminary, Fr. Joe served for five years as a Parochial Vicar at St. Clement of Rome Church in Metairie, Louisiana. He joined the full-time faculty of Notre Dame Seminary in 2007 as Director of Human Formation. In addition to his interest in human formation, Fr. Joe has a heart for evangelization, mission, spiritual direction, and adult Christian education.

Director of Pastoral Formation
Office Location: St. Joseph Hall - 104
(504) 866-7426 Ext. 3012/3221
frkrafft@nds.edu Pastoral Department Homepage

Sr. Theresa Marie Tran, S.C.C., B.A., M.A.

Sister Theresa Marie Tran, SCC, earned her BA (Education) and MA (Pastoral Counseling) at Loyola University in Chicago, IL. She is a native of Vietnam and has been a Sister of Christian Charity since 1983. She serves as the Co-Director of Pastoral Field Education and professor of pastoral counseling. Before coming to Notre Dame Seminary, she served as the counselor for children and families at various schools in New Orleans and at Catholic Charities Counseling Center.

Co-Director of Pastoral Field Education
Office Location: St. Joseph Hall - 105
(504) 866-7426 Ext. 3017
transcc@nds.edu Pastoral Department Homepage

Fr. Joseph S. Palermo, B.A., M.Div., J.D.

B.A., University of New Orleans; J.D., Louisiana State University;
M.Div., Notre Dame Seminary

Rev. Joseph S. Palermo, Jr. was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of New Orleans in 1994 after first having practiced civil law for 12 years. He has served as parochial vicar of several parishes, and as Associate Vocation Director and executive Director of Pastoral Services for the Archdiocese. He has a special interest in spiritual direction and is certified as a spiritual director through the Archdiocesan Spirituality Center.

Spiritual Director
Office Location: St. Joseph Hall - 108
(504) 866-7426 Ext. 3335
frjoepalermo@nds.edu

Dr. James M. Jacobs, M.T.S., Ph.D.

M.T.S., Franciscan School of Theology, Ph.D., Fordham University

Dr. James Jacobs specializes in the thought of Thomas Aquinas, particularly natural law ethics. He approaches Thomistic realism not merely as an historical interest, but as a vibrant and intellectually fulfilling alternative to the decadent nominalism and relativism which characterize modern approaches to metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, politics, and natural theology. Dr. Jacobs has had articles published in such journals as the American Catholic Philosophical Quarterly, Vera Lex and the International Philosophical Quarterly.

Director of Pre-Theology Program
Office Location: St. Joseph Hall - 107
(504) 866-7426 Ext. 3707
jacobs@nds.edu

Fr. Deogratias O. Ekisa, M.Div., S.T.L., S.T.D.

B. Phil (Makerere University – Kampala), M.Div (Notre Dame Seminary), S.T.L. (Sant’Anselmo – Rome), S. T. D. (Sant’Anselmo – Rome).

A priest of the Archdiocese of Tororo - Uganda, Fr. “Deo” served for seven years as secretary and chancellor to his bishop, vocations director and pastor. His interest in the liturgy led him to Rome to study sacramental theology, particularly the sacramentality of the liturgy. In addition to several native Ugandan languages, he speaks English and Italian. Fr. Deo brings to the faculty the experience of the African Church and culture.

Director of Liturgy
Office Location: Shaw Hall - 341
(504) 866-7426 Ext. 3341
dekisa@nds.edu

Mr. Angelo Lupinetti, Ph.B., B.A., M.A.Th.

Ph.B., Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. B.A., Saint Joseph Seminary College. M.A.Th., Notre Dame Seminary.

Angelo Lupinetti serves as Music Director of the Seminary, planning liturgical celebrations under the able guidance of the Director of Liturgy and leading the Schola Cantorum. As a professor, he teaches Scripture, Systematics, and Music to the seminarians. His professional interests lie especially in Old Testament literature and vocal music, both ancient and modern. In his spare time he enjoys practicing Aikido, running, pondering the great eimi, and motorcycling.

Director of Music
Office Location: St. Joseph Hall - 210
(504) 866-7426 Ext. 3810
alupinetti@nds.edu

Dr. Christopher T. Baglow, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.

Christopher T. Baglow is from New Orleans, LA. He has a B.A. in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville, an M.A. in Theology from the University of Dallas and a Ph.D. in Theology from Duquesne University.

Dr. Baglow has taught theology for 13 years, including three years as a Junior Professor at Saint Joseph Seminary College in Covington, Louisiana, where he also served as Assistant Dean of Students, Director of Apostolic Formation and the Chair of the Division of Philosophy and Theological Studies. He also founded and directed the first two Abbey Youth Festivals and founded the New Evangelization Society. In March, 2003, Dr. Baglow became the first appointee to the Sue Ellen M. Canizaro Chair in Catholic Theology at Our Lady of Holy Cross College in New Orleans, where he served for six years as Chair of the Department of Theology.

In July 2009, Dr. Baglow began a full-time position at Notre Dame Seminary, where he now serves as Professor of Theology and Director of the Master of Arts Program in Theological Studies for lay students.

Dr. Baglow’s publications include: Modus et Forma: A New Approach to the Exegesis of Saint Thomas Aquinas, which was published in the Analecta Biblica Series of the Pontifical Biblical Institute in 2002; Faith, Science, Reason: Theology on the Cutting Edge, which was published by Midwest Theological Forum in January 2010; and several articles on the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas. Dr. Baglow also serves as Director of the Pope Benedict XVI Institute for Faith, Ethics and Science of McGill-Toolen Catholic High School (Mobile, Alabama), which offers annual seminars on faith and science (the Steno Learning Program) and bioethics and science (the Molla Learning Program) for Catholic secondary educators.

Chris currently lives in Covington, LA with his wife Christine, their daughter Margaret and their sons John and Peter George.

Professor of Systematic and Sacramental Theology / Director of M.A. Program in Theological Studies for Lay Students
Office Location: St. Joseph Hall - 110
(504) 866-7426 Ext. 3710
cbaglow@nds.edu

Dr. David Liberto, Ph.D.

Dr. Liberto (Ph.D., Marquette University) serves as professor of Historical and Dogmatic Theology. His professional interests include Trinitarian theology, the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, Christology, and Patristic theology (especially with regard to the development of trinitarian theology in the Fourth Century). Other interests include Ecclesiology, Metaphysics, and New Testament exegesis.

Professor of Historical and Dogmatic Theology
Office Location: St. Joseph Hall - 217
(504) 866-7426 Ext. 3817
dliberto@nds.edu

Rev. Donald J. Martin, S.J., M.A., S.T.L., Ph.D.

S.T.L., St. Louis University School of Divinity
M.A., Ph.D., University of Notre Dame

Although semi-retired and part-time, Fr. Martin continues to plan and schedule the liturgical celebrations of the seminary, with the assistance of the Director of Music. He also teaches the preparatory workshops for the ministries of Reader and Acolyte, as well as the regular course on liturgical ministries which is focused on the rites of baptism, marriage, and funerals. He also serves as a spiritual director.

Professor of Systematic and Sacramental Theology
Office Location: St. Joseph Hall - 200
(504) 866-7426 Ext. 3814/3911
dmartin@nds.edu

Dr. Brant Pitre, B.A., M.T.S., Ph.D.

Dr. Brant Pitre earned his Ph.D. in Theology from the University of Notre Dame, where he specialized in the study of Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity. He holds an M.T.S. in biblical studies from Vanderbilt University and a B.A. in Philosophy and English Literature from L.S.U.

Dr. Pitre is the author of several articles and a book, Jesus, the Tribulation, and the End of the Exile (Tuebingen: Mohr Siebeck; Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005). He is currently working on an academic book on Jesus and the Last Supper (forthcoming, Eerdmans), as well as a popular book on Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist (forthcoming, Doubleday). His research interests revolve around the historical Jesus and the Jewish matrix of ancient Christian practice and belief, as well as the theological interpretation of Sacred Scripture. He is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, the Catholic Biblical Association, and a Fellow of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology.

Dr. Pitre currently lives in Covington, Louisiana, with his wife Elizabeth and their four children, Morgen, Aidan, Hannah, and Marybeth.

Professor of Sacred Scripture
Office Location: St. Joseph Hall - 111
(504) 866-7426 Ext. 3711
bpitre@nds.edu

Dr. Nathan Eubank

Nathan Eubank recently completed his Ph.D. in New Testament at Duke University, where he was a James B. Duke Fellow. His current research focuses on sin and merit and the interplay of divine and human agency in the Gospel according to Matthew and the letters of Paul. Other interests include the significance of textual criticism and textual pluriformity for dogmatic theology, as well as figural exegesis of the Old Testament from the New Testament authors to late ancient Christianity. Recent publications include “Almsgiving is ‘The Commandment’: A Note on 1 Timothy 6.6-19” in New Testament Studies, and “A Disconcerting Prayer: On the Originality of Luke 23:34a” in Journal of Biblical Literature.

Professor of Sacred Scripture
Office Location: St. Joseph Hall - 102
(504) 866-7426 Ext. 3015
neubank@nds.edu

Fr. David C. Kelly, M.M., Lic., Ph.D.

Rev. David C. Kelly, M.M., Lic., PhD., Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium. Rev. Kelly's missionary experience in Latin and Central America has motivated him to look at fundamental moral theology as it relates to pastoral theological reflection, mission and evangelization.

Professor of Moral Theology
Office Location: St. Joseph - 320
(504) 866-7426 Ext. 3920
frkelly@nds.edu

Fr. Mark Raphael, M.A., M.Div., Ph.D.

Rev. Mark S. Raphael (M.A., History, University of New Orleans - M.Div., Notre Dame Seminary - Ph.D., The Catholic University of America) Father Mark Raphael is a lifelong resident of New Orleans, ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of New Orleans in 1998. He is the author of History of Notre Dame Seminary and St. Robert Bellarmine Parish: A Fortieth Anniversary History.

Professor of Church History
Office Location: Shaw Hall - 231
(504) 866-7426 Ext. 3231
frmraphael@nds.edu

Mr. Kevin Redmann

Professor of Biblical Languages
Office Location: St. Joseph Hall - 100
(504) 866-7426 Ext. 3010
KRedmann@nds.edu

Dr. Mark J. Barker, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.

Dr. Barker earned a B.A. in Classical and Romance Languages at Harvard University, in addition to studying at the University of Seville, Spain. He holds an M.A. from the University of Paris (the Sorbonne) and a doctorate in philosophy from the Center for Thomistic Studies (Houston). He studied two years of graduate-level theology while in France. His research focuses on epistemology, ethics, and moral theology. He also translates Spanish, French, and Latin scholarly texts.

Professor of Philosophy
Office Location: St. Joseph Hall - 218
(504) 866-7426 Ext. 3818
mbarker@nds.edu

Ms. Jennifer Golden, M.A.

Jennifer Golden holds an undergraduate degree in French and Master’s degree in Teaching English from the University of New Orleans and has 24 years of experience teaching English as a Second Language in Africa and Asia as well as in English Language Programs at Tulane University, Loyola University, and Delgado Community College. Jennifer has taught classes and provided individual instruction in Grammar and Composition, Reading, Listening, and Speaking at Notre Dame Seminary since the year 2000.

English Language Instructor / English Language Program
Office Location: Shaw Hall
(504) 866-7426 Ext.
elp@nds.edu NDS-ELP Homepage

Br. Stephen Synan, F.M.S., B.A., M.A., M.S., Ph.D.

BA Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY
MA Religious Studies, Providence College
MS Pastoral Counseling, Loyola College
PhD Pastoral Counseling, Loyola College

Br. Stephen has been a member of the Marist Brothers of the Schools for 35 years. His ministry experience has included positions on the elementary, secondary, college and graduate levels of Catholic Education. This also included teaching and counseling at the Marist International College in Nairobi, Kenya. Br. Stephen recently served in leadership with the Religious Brothers Conference and following a year's Sabbatical, has joined the Notre Dame Faculty in September 2010.

Brother Stephen will offer Pastoral Counseling to the Seminarians here at Notre Dame and will teach the Pastoral Counseling course here as well.

Counseling Services / Professor of Pastoral Counseling
Office Location: Shaw Hall - 111
(504) 866-7426 Ext. 3226
Br.Stephen@nds.edu

Mr. Chris Domingue

Director of Facilities / Student Services
Office Location: Shaw Hall - 1st Floor
(504) 866-7426 Ext. 3106
cdomingue@arch-no.org
cdomingue@nds.edu

Ms. Cynthia Garrity, B.A.

Ms. Cynthia (Cindy) Garrity received her BA in Office/Business Administration from Nicholls State University. She has over 25 years experience in various administrative positions. She grew up in the metro New Orleans area, is the mother of two sons and a daughter. Her hobbies include gardening, crochet, metal smithing and jewelry design.

Registrar
Office Location: Shaw Hall - 222
(504) 866-7426 Ext. 3103
registrar@nds.edu Registrar/Academic Homepage

Dr. Rebecca Maloney, B.S., M.Ed., Ph.D.

Dr. Rebecca Maloney received a B.S. in Science Education in 1992 from the University of New Orleans and taught science at Archbishop Chapelle High School for 9 years. In 2000, she earned her M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from UNO, and earned a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialty area of Educational Technology in 2002, also from UNO. After leaving Chapelle, she worked at the University of New Orleans as a Counselor/Academic Specialist for the Upward Bound program, which is a federally funded program which aids inner city, disadvantaged youths in reaching their academic goals. From January, 2003 to May, 2011, Dr. Maloney served first as an Assistant Professor of Education, then as an Associate Professor of Education at Our Lady of Holy Cross College (OLHCC). She also served as the Chair of the Department of Education, and co-created and served as the Director of the Archdiocesan Teachers’ Institute at OLHCC. As a member of the SACS Leadership team and NCATE Coordinator, Dr. Maloney helped lead OLHCC in their re-accreditation processes. She now brings these skills to Notre Dame Seminary where she is serving as the Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Planning, and Faculty Development.

Director of Institutional Effectiveness
Office Location: St. Joseph Hall - 106
(504) 866-7426 Ext. 3017
rmaloney@nds.edu

Mrs. Yvette LaCour, B.A., M.Ed.

Yvette LaCour, Director of Development, received her B.A. from Loyola University - New Orleans and her M.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration from the University of Vermont. Previously, she worked for the University of Vermont, University of South Dakota, and Archbishop Chapelle High School. Before joining the staff, Yvette worked as a volunteer at Notre Dame Seminary, assisting with fundraising efforts for the Seminary. Yvette and her husband, Greg, are members of St. Clement of Rome Parish and are the parents of five children.

Director of Development
Office Location: St. Joseph Hall
(504) 866-7426 Ext. 3740
development@nds.edu
ylacour@nds.edu

Mr. Thomas Bender, B.A., M.L.I.S.

The new director of the Fr. Robert J. Stahl Memorial Library, Tommy arrives at Notre Dame from Xavier University of Louisiana where he filled the roles of reference librarian and electronic resources librarian for the last six years. Prior to Xavier, he has worked in a number of different school and public libraries dating back to 1989. He received his Masters of Library and Information Science from Louisiana State University in 1999. Tommy is also a pastoral musician and has served in parishes of the Archdiocese of New Orleans for 27 years; his service beginning while still a student at St. John Vianney Prep. He is currently the organist at St. Rita of Cascia where he just marked ten years of service. Prior to St. Rita, he was the organist and music director at Immaculate Conception parish in Marrero, his childhood parish, where he served since 1983. Tommy is a husband and father, married to Kelly Ott Bender of St. Benilde Parish since 1991 they have two sons. The older son, is fourteen and excited to be entering Brother Martin High School as a freshman. Their younger is ten, entering the fifth grade at St. Edward the Confessor in whose parish boundaries they reside and where they participate in parish organizations.

Director of Library
Office Location: St. Joseph Hall - 1st Floor Robert J. Stahl Memorial Library
(504) 866-7426 Ext. 3700
Library@nds.edu Library Homepage

Mr. Robert Thomas, B.A., M.Ed.

Robert Thomas, Director of Lay Formation, began Ministry Work in the Archdiocese of New Orleans in the late 1970’s and continues in this ministry today. Mr. Thomas currently teaches religion at St. Paul’s School in Covington.

Mr. Thomas served as Principal of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Kenner before, during and for two years after Katrina under Fr. Richard Miles. Mr. Thomas also served at St. Scholastica Academy as a Religion and Psychology teacher and a coach. He spent many years at Archbishop Rummel High School as a teacher, coach and campus minister. He was responsible for developing an extensive retreat program for the students while at Rummel. Mr. Thomas spent some years in public education as college track coach at LSU and SLU. He also worked in public high school as a Guidance Counselor.

Mr. Thomas has a BA from Loyola University in New Orleans and a Teacher Certification from LSU. He received a Master of Education from Southeastern Louisiana University.

Bobby and Annette live in Covington and have three children: Angelique, Rachel and David. They also have one grandchild (current family favorite) – Lucian.

Director of Lay Formation
Office Location: St. Joseph Hall - First Floor
(504) 866-7426 Ext. 3730
rthomas@nds.edu